Alice & Stephen Vosel: Sharing Advice for Before & After Your Wedding Day

When and where were you two married? What are your fondest memories of your wedding and the days leading up to it?

Alice: We got married on August 19, 2017 at the Oaks Plantation in Pike Road, Alabama. My fondest memory is all of my family being together. I am the baby of four and I have ten nieces and nephews who were all in the wedding. Anywhere we go, it tends to be a party due to how big our family is. We had a small family ceremony and a brunch afterward with more friends and family. It was very special to be surrounded by the many people who have impacted our lives so greatly.

Stephen: Probably my fondest memory was the ceremony. It could not have been more perfect. To have those who were in attendance for our special day was really great. It was awesome to have so many of our friends come to the brunch as well.

Many couples spend the majority of their engagement months planning for the “wedding” with little planning for the actual “marriage”. How did the two of you prepare for marriage so that it could start off on the right foot and grow even richer with time?

We did premarital counseling with Hope City Counseling. It was the absolute best decision we could have made as we prepared for marriage, and honestly something we will continue to pursue every few months after marriage. Counseling is often viewed as something scary, but we loved every second of it. We also think it is important to be active in your church and make sure you are surrounded with community and people who influence you in a positive way.

As you seek to honor Christ above all else, how would you say that focus helps you have a right attitude toward your new spouse?

Alice: Marriage is a sanctification process. I make mistakes. I am very thankful for the forgiveness and grace that Stephen shows me on a daily basis.

Stephen: I think that even from early on in our relationship we have done a good job realizing we are not perfect and that marriage will be challenging. I am also extremely thankful for Alice being so patient and forgiving.

What advice would you give engaged or newly married couples to help them prepare for marriage and to help them grow in oneness?

Alice: My advice would be to read marriage books, seek counsel, and continue to date one another even after your wedding day.

Stephen: I think my biggest piece of advice would be to always put the Lord at the center of your marriage. Never get complacent with “you” in your marriage. Always strive to improve yourself as a better husband or wife. And know that there will be hard times, but there sure are a lot of great times!